A Warwick-based medical supplies is answering a national call to support the increased delivery of PPE products to the NHS.
Warwick Sasco, which is based on the Heathcote Industrial Estate, supplies plastic medical devices that can be sterilised and, in the last 12 months, has dispatched 7 million products worldwide.
They range from kidney dishes and gallipots through to instrument trays and instrument protection & transportation units.
The company’s products also include bed pans and urinal bottles, all of which are made by suppliers in the UK, particularly in the West Midlands.
Around 50 per cent of the company’s orders come from the UK, with a quarter coming from the EU and another 25 per cent from the rest of the world.
The outbreak of the Coronavirus has seen demand for its products increase by 12 per cent over the past three weeks, with more demand being placed on the NHS, particularly in A&E.
And the firm has signed up to be part of a voluntary delivery scheme to get more PPE to the hospitals in the region.
Managing Director Darby Booth said: “As well as increasing supply of our own products, we have also signed up voluntarily to support the distribution of PPE products into the NHS to help increase the supply of essential products to those dealing with the virus on the frontline.
“The company – and our team – is ready to support this massive effort to help the country come through this situation that is having a profound effect on everybody’s life.”
Darby, whose father established the company nearly 40 years ago, said there had also been a spike in overseas enquiries from Belgium to Bahrain.
He said: “We have spoken to our supply chain and they are in a strong position to increase production and, as a company, we have put plans in place where our team can work from home in line with the advice from Government.
“Warwick Sasco has been growing over many years but this really is an unprecedented time for the sector and we are facing it head on.”
Warwick Sasco, which is a member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, employs ten people directly and is signed up to the NHS Supply Chain contract.
Darby added: “The information from the Chamber has been invaluable at this time, with updates daily on the latest advice and support available.
“It’s vital the businesses out there know that help is at hand.”
Hazel Pilling, Membership Manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Warwick Sasco is an example of how businesses are part of the effort to deal with the outbreak of Coronavirus.
“We are proud to see companies in our region playing their part and, as a Chamber, we are doing all we can to ensure that every business knows that there is help available by ensuring a constant stream of relevant, up-to-the-minute information.”